The University of Houston is an urban campus in the fourth largest city in the United States. You can read about the University and the Department on their respective pages, however, a few more personal points merit mentioning. First, the student body at UH is ethnically and culturally diverse; UH is consistently ranked as one of the three most diverse research universities in the US. This, combined with the cultural attractions of a major city make UH and Houston an interesting and vibrant place to live. Second, the Department of Biology and Biochemistry enjoys close intellectual ties with Rice University and Baylor Medical School, both also located in Houston. Several faculty are adjunct at the other institutions, and the proximity of institutions allows people to move among them to attend seminars, to get together for lunch, etc. Such strong movement among institutions is uncommon in my experience, and makes for intellectual environment richer than can be offered by any single department.
Although I have lived in Houston for several years, I still discover new and interesting things in this welcoming, affordable and strange city. It is noteworthy that Houston consistently ranks among the best places in the country to live and find a job, and eat, and eat more. Reddit always has more information than you could need.
A few points about life here merit mention:
There is an active, accessible, and affordable cultural life to be had in Houston. The music in Houston is diverse and there are some great venues in which to see bands. We have an exceptional opera company and symphony. We have many outstanding bars, weird festivals (like the Art Car Festival), a large number of galleries, a few alternative press newspapers, appealing coffeehouses, etc. Apparently there are major sports teams here as well.
There is fantastic, affordable, unpretentious food to eaten all over town. The food scene in Houston has become something celebrated nationally over the last few years.
For about one half of the year, it is very hot and humid. Some might even say brutally hot and humid. The remainder of the year is quite nice.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is a major hub, and we have a second airport as well (Hobby) making for cheap (and often direct) flights from Houston to a great many destinations.
Despite the stereotype of Houston, it is a lush, green city with large parks and many quiet neighborhoods.
The public transportation is wanting, but they are working on that; a new light rail line connects UH to the rest of the city. Traffic flows surprisingly well; most of the time it only takes about 20 minutes or less to cross the city center by car.